A starting place for birding information for British Columbia, Canada. This web site features a birders discussion forum, links to birding newsgroups, articles and book reviews, checklists, regional hotspots, photo gallery, weather reports, and visiting birder information.

Congrats Bridget on spotting the Bittern.Stunning shots Alwyn, glad I could be of help. I did not see the Bittern in its usual spot yesterday but something else was taking its place that went for a long walk and swim;North American Beaver by Cory, on Flickr

I was so hoping for a Beaver and Bittern shot together but of all the days for the Bittern not to be there..............................

Oh wow Cory: I have been walking past the beaver lodge next to Quilchena golf course quite a few times recently in the hope of seeing a beaver but no luck! Whereabouts did you spot this one: sounds like the same place where the Bittern was? EXIF shows that it was just before 5pm: is that about right? Love the shot with the beaver so clearly out in the open!

Love the Bittern but it is particularly nice to see the mink. My sister and I saw one a few times last year around the boardwalk at the pond: very pretty.

Even though I saw Bitterns quite regularly at the foot of Francis Rd over the past couple months, I always found them rather tricky to photograph there. So I headed to Terry Nova yesterday to see if I could find one there. And was very fortunate!

Cory was already there when I got there and had a Bittern lined up in a very nice spot: thanks Cory! Always nice to get some bright, downsun photographs at relatively close range with the bird in the open. Come to think of it: how often does THAT happen... Oh well, makes us appreciate it more when it DOES happen!

Some images:

And I had never before noticed the blue mark on the neck! Nature can be very, very beautiful indeed.

Alwyn

Great shots Alwyn

I agree they have beautiful plumage. Have you ever seen them in breeding plumage when they get those white feathers on the back? See here:

Good heavens Mel, the breeding plumage is incredible! I really had no idea.

And thanks for the comment on the photographs. I think this thread sums up my birding and photography admirably. While I am sort of OK-ish on the photography side, my birding is very much like my wine drinking. In both cases I have done it casually for years and years, in both cases am totally amateurish and I really have not touched on the technical side of things of either... and I am OK with that. I greatly enjoy the simple pleasure I get out of both!

So I have come to accept that I will often mis-ID birds (my apologies) and I have no clue as to how describe the wines I like. I like simple.....

Hi Alwyn,the beaver was first seen north of the bridge, very close to the last area that the Bittern was seen. It travelled beyond Westminster Hwy toward Quilchena where I bid it adieu. The EXIF data is off by one hour, the shot was at 2:15.Next time we bump into each other we can discuss birds and wine, two of my favourite subjects.

From hunter to hunted.The Bittern was focused on its next snack when it sensed a Bald Eagle flying nearby. It quickly disappeared into the reeds.focus by Cory, on Flickron alert by Cory, on Flickrin hiding by Cory, on Flickr